According to Environment Minister Gabriel computing must be environmentally friendly. To Cebit announced his ministry, therefore, a program of support for climate-friendly innovations in IT. Within the ministries of this ambition is yet, very little to be felt.
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Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel chose clear words, when he was at the Cebit in Hanover, the funding priority "IT goes green" presented. "The significant increase of greenhouse carbon dioxide emissions, we can only stop if the IT solutions of energy and resource efficient," said Germany's top environmentalists.
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"Green IT" as it was presented: The federal authorities have in terms of IT environment apparently catching
Until all the federal ministries, this finding seems not to have enforced. Because, as it comes to the energy needs of the computing facilities of the federal authorities are apparently not even know the federal government itself, as is clear from a reply, which the Federal Ministry of Interior to a written request of the German Parliament Angelika Brunkhorst (FDP) formulated.
The question presented itself Brunkhorst, 25 February a. The reply sent by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), but only on 10 March, two days after the end of the Cebit. Thus, the Ministry of the Environment in Green IT area of the fair yet robust advertising drums for its new funding program to stir. 25 million euros, the ministry prepared to ensure that the development and introduction of innovative technologies, which help to comply with the energy consumption of computer systems to reduce.
The Ministry of Environment saves 44 tonnes of CO2 per year
How this is done, the Environment Ministry itself on exemplary manner. In November 2008 the Authority was able to proudly reported that their computing power by 60 percent to have. Per year would be 70,000 kilowatt hours of electricity saved, representing a reduction of CO2 emissions by around 44 tonnes, that is good for the environment.
Incidentally, but saves the Ministry through the modernization also some euro operating one. Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 euros per year should be a normal commercial customers for the amount of electricity saved now berappen.
Unusual investments are apparently not even necessary. Instead, the impressive reduction in power consumption under a normal investment cycle has been carried out. In plain English: The old hardware in the computer would be kicked out anyway, with new equipment has been replaced.
107 computer, and no energy
The IT manager from the Environment Ministry chose the replacement equipment, however, aware of even after their energy consumption. In addition, we opted for a solution, including sophisticated virtualization technology decisions. That means nothing other than that fewer servers more tasks by another computer in software after - they simulate the presence of additional computers.
So could the 66 previously used server through a single large computer to be replaced. The result: The capacity utilization increases, there is less energy wasted in idle. The Environment Ministry is now two identical machines running in parallel, so you have a readily available backup server should the primary machine fail - and still saves 40 percent energy costs.
Sounds like a success story and is also one so far but apparently the only computer in the park of the federal ministries - and probably just a drop in the ocean. Because, as it is indeed the energy needs of the ministerial computer systems are not even seem to know the federal government itself
The letter from the Interior Ministry to operate the various ministries a total of 107 data centers. Leaders here is under the Ministry of the Interior Wolfgang Schäuble with a total of 25 such large-scale computing systems. And the Ministry of Environment operates alongside its flagship computer still seems to be seven additional server installations.
It is interesting, however, an indication of the BMI, that "on the computing power of the respective" no data available and also not within "the answer for the time available" could be procured. After all, is promised to the Council of the IT Supervisor (IT Council) will in this medium, the current data reserved.
It consists of catching up?
Similarly, the response of BMI to the question of how many servers and PCs in the federal administration is currently used and how their number in the last ten years have changed. Even this was no data and should also help the IT Council gather information medium.
Has the Federal So in need of Green IT?
"Unfortunately it seems that the issue in the federal government still has not to be. The right of the Environment activities are against this background as an alibi event," says Angelika Brunkhorst to blogs ONLINE and advises the Minister that he should be the BMU-Brochure "Energy-efficient computing" to distribute his Cabinet colleagues.
This may be a bit far right. In fact, however, are measures to reduce the energy consumption of datacenters long ministerial decisions - only for their implementation, the authorities have plenty of time. Only until 2013, wants the IT Council, the power of the federal computer systems by 40 percent.
A year inventory
Initially, the company IT officers of the Federal or so, an inventory, ie precisely those figures compiled by the deputies at the Ministry of Interior Brunkhorst wanted to ask: How many computers are in use where, how much energy is needed for their operation?
It must figure out a very difficult and extensive task. Only at the end of 2009, the IT Council, a first comprehensive report on the energy consumption of IT in the Federal submitted. One might get the impression, since each machine individually durchgemessen.
ON TO ONLINE blogs
Cebit Conclusion: Guck mal, was da green (09.03.2009)
Change in the IT Industry: The Eco-Rechenzentrum (07.07.2007)
Data Marine: Google is planning eco-security in the sea (09.09.2008)
Airport-Computer: Frankfurt airport hidden brain (27.04.2008)
Coalition on environmental noise, "Economics Minister Guttenberg is wrong" (14.03.2009)
EU environmental debate: capitulation of climate-Chancellor (11.12.2008)
Only when this report is available, the Council's IT project officer appointed "Green IT" to act and can define what actions will be needed to realize the stated goals. These findings should then be in a Green IT competence to recommendations and guidance are summarized for the IT officers of the Ministries Council and to give assistance. Because a decision by the IT Council that is responsible for the implementation of the savings targets, the respective ministries.
Environment Minister Gabriel must still wait some time until in the federal ministries will be implemented, resulting
in the private sector has long been established: The use of environmentally-friendly computing benefits not only the climate but also the box office.